The city has reached a proposed $1.8 million settlement with former Planning Commissioner Dennis Richards, who sued the city in 2020, claiming the Department of Building Inspection responded to his […]
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Posted inGovernment
Rodrigo Santos admits to hiring ex-DBI director’s kids — plural —and other gems from Dennis Richards’ ongoing litigation
In depositions, Rodrigo Santos did, notably, admit to having employed not one but two of former DBI director Tom Hui’s children. We are informed these are Hui’s only children, and that makes sense — if there were more, Santos probably would’ve hired them, too.
Posted inToday's Mission
Embattled Planning Commissioner Dennis Richards abruptly resigns, surprising friends and foes
In a turnabout that surprised foes and supporters alike at City Hall, erstwhile Planning Commissioner Dennis Richards will not return today from his leave of absence and has instead submitted […]
Posted inToday's Mission
Revoked building permits are reinstated at Dennis Richards’ stalled development — former planning commisioner’s lawsuit vs. city continues
This is the way the saga of Dennis Richards’ contested development project ends: Not with a bang, but with a whimper. The Board of Appeals last week unanimously voted to […]
Posted inToday's Mission
Nine permits revoked on project co-owned by planning commissioner Dennis Richards — his attorney claims retaliation
The Department of Building Inspection has taken the unusual step of revoking nine building permits on a 22nd Street structure partially owned by planning commissioner Dennis Richards — who, in […]
Posted inMobile
Planning Commissioner Dennis Richards sues San Francisco, Department of Building Inspection, alleging retaliation
Embattled commissioner Dennis Richards remains on leave of absence following rancor over tenant buyouts Prior to a contentious December hearing before the Board of Appeals, planning commissioner Dennis Richards offered […]
Posted inHousing
Developments in Development: What do state affairs and bills mean for SF?
The bill probably targets developers and fresh, vacant lots. But “frankly, how many empty lots” are there? He wondered. “I’m guessing not that many,” Todd David said.
Posted inGovernment
Planning Commissioner Dennis Richards decries Department of Building Inspection as ‘a cancer on this city’ in contentious hearing
Prior to Wednesday night’s lengthy hearing before the city’s Board of Appeals, Planning Commissioner Dennis Richards offered an unambiguous answer to whether he planned to sue the Department of Building […]
Posted inToday's Mission
Planning Commissioner Dennis Richards accuses Department of Building Inspection of conspiracy, quid-pro-quo offer
In an explosive legal filing, planning commissioner Dennis Richards alleges that a conspiracy within the Department of Building Inspection led to nine permits being abruptly revoked for a project he […]
Posted inGovernment
The logical flaw at the heart of the City Attorney’s vindication of DBI director
Following its fifth meeting this month, the Department of Building Inspection’s oversight commission on Jan. 21 selected interim director Patrick O’Riordan as the next full-time director of the department. Once […]
Posted inGovernment
Supes call for City Attorney investigation of Angus McCarthy, propose ballot measure to remake Dept. of Building Inspection
A pair of supervisors today called for a City Attorney investigation of allegations made in a Saturday Mission Local story. That story documented a series of permit irregularities at both […]
Posted inGovernment
Commissioner testified that he recused himself from hearing his business associate’s cases — but he didn’t always do it
San Francisco Board of Appeals president Darryl Honda unambiguously swore in a deposition earlier this year that he recuses himself whenever a project from SIA Consulting comes before his commission. […]
Posted inGovernment
‘I’d have done things differently:’ District inspectors say DBI director Patrick O’Riordan kept them off connected builders’ sites
The president of the Fire Commission is, to the best of our knowledge, not given deference by firefighters to light buildings ablaze. The police do not allow the president of […]
Posted inMobile
Cannabis lounge wins approval, set to open at Mission and 16th
With cheers, hugs and smiles, a team of city natives celebrated on Thursday evening as the Planning Commission voted 5-1 to approve their 3,500-square-foot cannabis business that will also include […]
Posted inHousing
‘Everything about this building was done wrong’: Inspector who approved structure with a score of illegal units has resigned
Update, June 14: Mission Local has learned that longtime senior inspector Bernie Curran, presently on suspension for receiving a $180,000 “loan” from a developer and initially failing to report it, […]
